Could Brain Abnormality Predict Drug Addiction?

Scientists at The University of Nottingham are to use MRI technology to discover whether abnormalities in the decision-making part of the brain could make some people more likely to become addicted to drugs.

Why Binge Drinking Is Bad For Your Bones

Studies in recent years have demonstrated that binge drinking can decrease bone mass and bone strength, increasing the risk of osteoporosis. Now a Loyola University Stritch School of Medicine study has found a possible mechanism: Alcohol disturbs genes necessary for maintaining healthy bones. The findings could help in the development of new drugs to minimize bone loss in alcohol abusers.

Les Ferdinand Enables Mental Health Project Air Football To Take Off Thanks To rS200K Of New Funding, UK

Former England international and Spurs and Newcastle star Les Ferdinand visited the North East London NHS Foundation Trust to deliver funding that will enable them to massively expand the Air Football Project over the next three years. The rS206,399 grant has been awarded to the Trust by the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.

Publication Of Report To Government By Advisory Group On Drug And Alcohol Education, UK

Speaking about the release of the Advisory Group on Drug and Alcohol Education's report, and the government's response, Eric Carlin, Chair of the Drug Education Forum, said: The problems that drugs and alcohol cause are too important for drug education to be an optional subject for parents or schools. The Drug Education Forum has been championing the importance of supporting parents for many years.

Ethanol-Induced Gastric Mucosa Injury: A New Insight

Binge drinking is linked to a wide spectrum of medical, psychological, behavioral, and social problems. It is well known that chronic alcohol abuse may induce gastrointestinal dysfunction, chronic atrophic gastritis and is closely related with gastric carcinoma. However, the detailed mechanism by which ethanol affects the gastrointestinal mucosa remains to be elucidated. A research article published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology refers.

Mental Health Parity Legislation Should Be Reversed Or Modified Because Questions About Mental Illness, Addiction Remain, Opinion Piece Says

The parity amendment attached to the bailout of Wall Street firms that ensures coverage of treatment for mental illness and addiction should be reversed or modified because it is "likely to open up a Pandora's box for the American health care system," Jeffrey Schaler, a psychologist and professor at

Alcohol: A Life Sentence

Every year, almost 4000 babies in Germany are born with alcohol-related defects. The mothers of these children have often drunk alcohol regularly during the pregnancy. The consequences are often devastating and commonly persist into adulthood. The various forms of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders are presented by the pediatricians Hans-Ludwig Spohr and Hans-Christoph Steinhausen in the latest issue of Deutsches Arzteblatt International (Dtsch Arztebl Int 2008; 105[41]: 693-8).

Educating Chief Residents About Addiction At Boston Medical Center

Researchers from Boston Medical Center (BMC) have found that education on addiction is inadequate during medical training, resulting in suboptimal medical care for those at risk. However, the research also found that a Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) program in addiction medicine is an effective "train the trainers" model for dissemination of addiction knowledge and skills to generalist physician trainees. These findings appear in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.

Department Of Health Research Shows Women Are Unaware Of Link Between Alcohol And Breast Cancer Risk

New research from the Department of Health's Know Your Limits campaign reveals that the vast majority of UK women (82%) don't realise alcohol consumption can increase the risk of developing breast cancer. According to the General Household Survey, around 4 million women drink more than the NHS recommended daily limit of 2-3 units of alcohol, equivalent to one large glass of wine a day (250ml at ABV 12%).

Smoking Cessation - Evotec Reports Phase I Safety Data From Tyramine Interaction Study With EVT 302

Evotec AG (Frankfurt Stock Exchange: EVT; NASDAQ: EVTC) announced today encouraging results of a Phase I safety study investigating the potential interaction of EVT 302, a reversible and highly selective inhibitor of monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B) in development for smoking cessation, with tyramine. The study was undertaken to determine potential safety advantages of EVT 302 versus non-selective MAO inhibitors and less selective MAO-B inhibitors already on the market.

Methamphetamine Abuse Linked To Underage Sex, Smoking And Drinking

Children and adolescents who abuse alcohol or are sexually active are more likely to take methamphetamines (MA), also known as 'meth' or 'speed'. Research published in the open access journal BMC Pediatrics reveals the risk factors associated with MA use, in both low-risk children (those who don't take drugs) and high-risk children (those who have taken other drugs or who have ever attended juvenile detention centres). MA is a stimulant, usually smoked, snorted or injected.

Severe Health Risks Follow Adults Who Were Diagnosed With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease As Children

The goal of researchers from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, led by Dr. Paul Angulo, was to determine the effects of fatty liver disease in children up to 20 years after the initial diagnosis. This is especially important as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most prevalent liver disease in preadolescents and adolescents.

Adverts For Alcohol More Common In Areas With More Hispanic Children, USA

Children are exposed to nearly seven times more alcohol advertising if they attend a school where at least one-fifth of the students are Hispanic, a new University of Florida and University of Texas study shows.

Nicotine Addiction In US Highest In 15 Years

Addiction to nicotine has reached a 15 year high in the United States, where nearly three quarters of people asking to be treated for tobacco dependence are classed as highly dependent, said lung disease researchers at a conference in Philadelphia on Tuesday. They suggested that the less nicotine-dependent smokers have already given up, leaving a hard core of highly nicotine-dependent smokers who can only be helped with new smoking cessation strategies.

Both Mental And Physical Quality Of Life Affected By Bipolar Disorder

This press release is available in French and Spanish.

Integrating Mental Health, Substance Abuse, And Primary Medical Care Appears Promising, But More Research Is Needed

A new report released today by HHS' Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality found evidence that people treated for depression in primary care clinics that provide coordinated services for mental and physical health do better and have fewer symptoms than patients who are treated at sites that just provide health services.

AbuseCheckв„ў Hair Alcohol Test Can Distinguish Non-Drinkers From Moderate And Abusive Drinkers

Alcoholism poses serious health issues with major socio-economic consequences to society. Four major areas of concern are public transportation, child custody rights, measuring underage drinking, and tools for monitoring rehabilitation. The Omnibus Transportation Employee Testing Act of 1991 requires drug and alcohol testing of safety-sensitive transportation employees in aviation, trucking, railroads, mass transit, pipelines and other transportation industries.

Warning: Metal Hazard From Table Wines

Potentially hazardous levels of metal ions are present in many commercially available wines. An analysis of reported levels of metals in wines from sixteen different countries, published in the open access Chemistry Central Journal, found that only those from Argentina, Brazil and Italy did not pose a potential health risk owing to metals.

Priory Embraces Web TV To Tackle Alcohol Abuse

The Priory Group is using its expertise to help GPs recognise and deal with the signs of problem and excessive drinking. The UK's leading independent provider of addiction treatment services has commissioned a series of web TV programmes to raise awareness of its specialist services to GPs and other medical practitioners and one of the first subjects tackled was alcohol addiction.

Concateno Announces Seminar Exploring Role Of Drug Testing In Family Law Proceedings, Glasgow, Scotland

Next month, a free seminar will provide those working in child protection and family law with insights as to how hair testing parents for illicit substance and alcohol use can be used to support their work. Taking place on Tuesday, 11th November, 2pm-4.30pm at Trades Hall, Glasgow, the event is the latest in a series of non-commercial CPD seminars held by TrichoTech, a Concateno group company and Europe's largest hair testing laboratory, and TV Edwards LLP Solicitors.

Examining The Relationship Between Anger And Alcohol Abuse

Research suggests that alcoholics are more likely to experience emotions such as annoyances, frustrations and anger compared to non-alcoholics. A new study at the University at Buffalo's Research Institute on Addictions (RIA) will investigate these anger emotions and how they might be addressed in outpatient alcoholism treatment.

Link Between 24-Hour Drinking And Shift In Hospital Attendance Patterns In The UK

Since the UK's move to 24-hour drinking, a large city centre hospital in Birmingham has seen an increase in drink-related attendances between the hours of 3am and 6am. A new study, published in the open access journal BMC Public Health, shows no significant decrease in alcohol-related attendances after 24-hour drinking was introduced but a significant shift in the time of attendances.

UK Heading Towards A 'Silent Epidemic' Of Alcohol-Related Dementia - Royal College Of Psychiatrists

Urgent action is needed to prevent a 'silent epidemic' of alcohol-related dementia in the UK, psychiatrists have warned. Writing in the November issue of the British Journal of Psychiatry, two London-based psychiatrists with a special interest in dementia discuss the potential impact of increasing alcohol consumption among young and middle-aged people.

Top NIH Neuroscience Experts To Discuss The Latest In Neurological And Psychiatric Research

"Neuroscience 2008," the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting-Find out the latest news about the brain and its complexity from the world's top experts. Several Institute Directors and program leaders from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) will be available to discuss success stories and new directions in neuroscience research during this year's Society for Neuroscience meeting.

Machinery That Helps Make Memories Identified

A major puzzle for neurobiologists is how the brain can modify one microscopic connection, or synapse, at a time in a brain cell and not affect the thousands of other connections nearby. Plasticity, the ability of the brain to precisely rearrange the connections between its nerve cells, is the framework for learning and forming memories.

Is Couple Therapy Better Than Individual Psychotherapy In Alcoholism?

Alcohol abuse serves as a chronic stressor between partners and has a deleterious effect on relationship functioning.

A Call To Combat Tobacco Smuggling

The UK government needs to increase its efforts in tackling the tobacco smuggling problem, according to a team of experts who authored an essay published on bmj.com. Tobacco smuggling is responsible for about 4,000 premature deaths every year in the UK - four times the number of deaths that are caused by using all other smuggled illegal drugs combined.

Experience, Science And The Drinking Age

Recently more than 100 college presidents surrendered their authority to do something meaningful about campus alcohol abuse by urging policymakers to lower the drinking age from 21 to 18. There has not been so great a "hand-washing" of a significant problem since Pontius Pilate! Thankfully, this group did not include University of Wyoming leadership. I have a unique perspective on this issue. I was a member of the Wyoming Legislature when it lowered the drinking age to 18 in 1973.

Trauma Surgeons Find A Significant Number Of Moped Crashes Involve Intoxicated Drivers

In a study presented at the 2008 Clinical Congress of the American College of Surgeons, trauma surgeons reported a high association between moped driver injuries and positive alcohol levels greater than 0.05 mg/dL. In fact, 39 percent of moped operators were driving under the influence of alcohol, which is more than one-and-a-half times more moped operators who were using alcohol and driving a motor vehicle than operators of motorcycles or automobiles, according to Ashley B.

The More Alcohol Your Drink The Smaller Your Brain Gets

The more alcohol an individual drinks, the smaller his or her total brain volume, according to a report in the October issue of Archives of Neurology, one of the JAMA/Archives journals. Brain volume decreases with age at an estimated rate of 1.9 percent per decade, accompanied by an increase in white matter lesions, according to background information in the article.

Strong Public Policy Measures On Alcohol Price And Availability Would Be More Effective Than Clinical Treatments, Say Experts

Three of Britain's leading experts in alcohol policy and treatments say that strong public policy measures on price and availability of alcohol would be far more successful than clinical treatments or current Government initiatives in reducing alcohol-related harm.

Resveratrol Prevents Fat Accumulation In Livers Of 'Alcoholic' Mice

The accumulation of fat in the liver as a result of chronic alcohol consumption could be prevented by consuming resveratrol, according to a new study with mice. The research found that resveratrol reduced the amount of fat produced in the liver of mice fed alcohol and, at the same time, increased the rate at which fat within the liver is broken down. Chronic alcohol consumption causes fat to accumulate and can lead to liver diseases, including cirrhosis and fibrosis of the liver.

Does Alcohol Make Your Brain Smaller?

A new study published in the October issue of Archives of Neurology reports that people who drink more alcohol have smaller total brain volume. Every ten years of age yields an estimated 1.9% decrease in brain volume and an increase in white matter lesions. People who are developing dementia or problems with thinking, learning, and memory also tend to have lower brain volumes and larger white matter lesions.

Innovative Method Used To Better Analyze Multiple Genetic Factors

Could an aversion to bitter substances or an overall heightened sense of taste help protect some people from becoming addicted to nicotine? That's what researchers at UVA have found using an innovative new method they've developed to analyze the interactions of multiple genetic and environmental factors. Their findings one day may be key in identifying people at risk for nicotine dependence.

Adolescent Brain Function Adversely Affected By Marijuana Use

Brain imaging shows that the brains of teens that use marijuana are working harder than the brains of their peers who abstain from the drug. At the 2008 annual meeting of the American Academy of Pediatrics in Boston, Mass., Krista Lisdahl Medina, a University of Cincinnati assistant professor of psychology, presented collaborative research with Susan Tapert, associate professor of psychiatry at the University of California, San Diego. Medina's Oct.

Understanding Why Methamphetamine Is So Addictive And Damaging To The Brain

Using positron emission tomography (PET) to track tracer doses of methamphetamine in humans' brains, scientists at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Brookhaven National Laboratory find that the addictive and long-lasting effects of this increasingly prevalent drug can be explained in part by its pharmacokinetics - the rate at which it enters and clears the brain, and its distribution.

Historic Appeals Case Against The Tobacco Industry Positions Court To Decide On Key Tobacco Control Issues

Statement of the American Lung Association: Today, The U.S. Department of Justice and Public Health Intervenors, including the American Lung Association, presented oral arguments before the United States Court of Appeals in a landmark case against the tobacco industry.

Alcohol-related Admissions At London Hospital 'treble In Last Four Years'

The number of adult alcohol-related admissions to an inner London hospital has tripled in the last four years, new research shows. The three psychiatrists who carried out the study claim the results "raise concerns about the changing of the licensing laws". 1 Moreover, if this trend is repeated in other hospitals in the UK, they believe it will have "significant ramifications" on NHS resources.

Top Researchers To Explore Stress And Anxiety, Trauma, Poverty And Addiction - Seminar

Promising scientific investigations that might someday yield new strategies related to anxiety, addiction, trauma caused by war or natural disasters, and brain development among children growing up in poverty will be the focus of a seminar on "Science, Stress and Human Health." The 2008 Philip Hauge Abelson Advancing Science Seminar will take place Friday, 24 October at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), 12th and H Streets, N.W., Washington, D.C.

Injection Drug Use Threatens To Increase HIV/AIDS Rates In Cambodia, Official Says

An increase in injection drug use, which is being driven by an influx of low-cost methamphetamines, is contributing to rising HIV/AIDS rates in Cambodia, Lour Ramin, director-general of the National Authority for Combating Drugs, said Monday, the SAPA/Independent Online reports.

Avigen Initiates Opioid Withdrawal Trial In Partnership With NIDA, Columbia University And The New York State Psychiatric Institute

Avigen, Inc. (Nasdaq: AVGN), a biopharmaceutical company innovating therapeutics for neurological care, today announced the launch of an exploratory study of the company's pipeline product, AV411 (ibudilast), for the treatment of opioid withdrawal symptoms. The study is largely funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and will be run jointly by the New York State Psychiatric Institute (NYSPI) and Columbia University.

IDUs At High Risk Of HIV In Indonesia, Study Says

An Indonesian Ministry of Health study conducted in 2007 found that injection drug users are at the greatest risk of HIV in the country, with approximately 50% of the IDUs participating in the study living with the virus, the Jakarta Post reports.

Plans For Hispanic Substance Use Rehabilitation Center In Massachusetts Moving Forward

The Worcester Telegram & Gazette on Monday examined the development of a Hispanic substance use rehabilitation center to open in Worcester, Mass. The Hector E. Reyes House -- named after a longtime community activist who started numerous Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous groups for Hispanics -- will house 25 Hispanic males in need of substance use treatment.

Obese People's Brains Show Less Pleasure From Eating

New research from the US suggests that certain people may have a genetic predisposition to obesity because the reward centres in their brains respond sluggishly after eating, so to get more pleasure from eating they opt for foods denser in calories which makes them gain weight.

Treatment Alternative For Drug Offenders Has Had Mixed Success

The effectiveness of Proposition 36, a ballot measure approved by California voters in 2000 that offers treatment instead of incarceration for nonviolent drug offenders is being undermined by inadequate funding, participants dropping out of treatment, and increased arrests for drug and property crimes.

U.N. Calls On Indonesia To Expand Drug Treatment, Curb Spread Of HIV/AIDS In Prisons

United Nations officials on Thursday urged Indonesia to begin treating drug users like patients in need of clinical help and not criminals and increase the number of drug treatment facilities to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country's prisons, the AP/Miami Herald reports.

Free Public Lecture On Teenage Drug Abuse In Northern Ireland

More teenagers in Northern Ireland are experimenting with illegal drugs at an earlier age than elsewhere in the UK, according to a new study. Youth experts and psychologists will meet at a free public lecture hosted by the NI Branch of The British Psychological Society in The Wellington Park Hotel, Malone Road, Belfast on Tuesday 21 October 2008 at 7.

Federal Anti-Drug Ad Campaign Didn't Work

New research finds that a national campaign's anti-drug TV ads failed to convince young children and teenagers to stay away from marijuana and actually might have encouraged some to try smoking pot. In their 1999 to 2004 incarnation, the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign's TV ads "either had no effects on kids or possibly had a boomerang effect," said Robert Hornik, lead author of a new study and professor of communication at the University of Pennsylvania. The U.

Lifetime Of Health Risk Created By Early Exposure To Drugs, Alcohol

People who began drinking and using marijuana regularly prior to their 15th birthday face a higher risk of early pregnancy, as well as a pattern of school failure, substance dependence, sexually-transmitted disease and criminal convictions that lasts into their 30s. A study published online by the journal Psychological Science has been able to sort out for the first time the difficult question of whether it's bad kids who do drugs, or doing drugs that makes kids bad.

Second-Hand Smoke May Trigger Nicotine Dependence Symptoms In Kids

Parents who smoke cigarettes around their kids in cars and homes beware - second-hand smoke may trigger symptoms of nicotine dependence in children. The findings are published in the September edition of the journal Addictive Behaviors in a joint study from nine Canadian institutions.

Increased Risk For Alcohol Problems In Adulthood When Alcohol Consumed Before 15 Years Of Age

It may seem like a minor point, but it matters when someone takes their first drink of alcohol relative to later development of alcohol problems. A new study of the relationship between age at first drink (AFD) and the risk of developing alcohol-use disorders (AUDs) during adulthood has found that the risk is greatest when AFD occurs before the age of 15.

Botswana, PSI Distribute 60M Condoms; PSI Plans Initiative To Curb Spread Of HIV, Alcohol Abuse

The government of Botswana, along with Population Services International, has distributed almost 60 million condoms in the country during the past two years in an attempt to scale up the fight against HIV/AIDS, Mmegi reports.

Don't Ask, Don't Tell Doesn't Work In Prenatal Care

While obstetrical care providers are doing a good job working with their patients on smoking cessation, they are not doing as well on abuse of other substances that can harm a woman's unborn baby. A new study appearing in the September 2008 issue of the journal Patient Education and Counseling reports that patients don't volunteer information about substance abuse unless specifically queried.

Pioneering Study Links Holiday Drug Taking To Acts Of Violence

A new study shows that high levels of drug and alcohol consumption are behind the growth in violence among young tourists. The research work, focusing on Mallorca and Ibiza, shows that 5% of tourists visiting these areas become involved in some kind of violence during their stay. Ecstasy was the only drug consumed that the scientists have not linked to violent acts.

Insomnia In Adolescence Linked To Depression And Substance Abuse During Adolescence And Young Adulthood

A study in the Oct. 1 issue of the journal Sleep shows that adolescent insomnia symptoms are associated with depression, suicide ideation and attempts, and the use of alcohol, cannabis and other drugs such as cocaine. Findings suggest that the presence of insomnia in adolescents increases the risk of developing mental health problems and also may increase the severity of these problems. Results indicate that adolescents who had symptoms of insomnia were 2.

Alcohol And Violence: Culture's Role

Countries with strict social rules and behavioral etiquette such as the United Kingdom may foster drinking cultures characterized by unruly or bad behavior, according to a new report on alcohol and violence released by International Center for Alcohol Policies (ICAP). The report lists 11 cultural features that may predict levels of violence such as homicide and spousal abuse.

News From The Journal Of Neuroscience

1. Macrophages Can Promote Regeneration Benoit Barrette, Marc-AndrsY HsYbert, Mohammed Filali, Kathleen Lafortune, Nicolas VallisXres, GenevisXve Gowing, Jean-Pierre Julien, and Steve Lacroix The role of macrophages in recovery from nerve injury is controversial. Some studies show that macrophages improve regeneration, but others show the opposite effect. This week, each side of the controversy gains support.

Toward A Fast, Life-Saving Test For Identifying The Purity Of Heroin - Analytical Chemistry Journal

Scientists in Spain are reporting an advance toward a new method for determining the purity of heroin that could save lives by allowing investigators to quickly identify impure and more toxic forms of the drug being sold on the street. Unlike conventional tests, it does not destroy the original drug sample, according to their report. It is scheduled for the Oct. 1 issue of ACS' Analytical Chemistry, a semi-monthly journal.

National Institute On Drug Abuse Unveils "Innovations" In Addiction Research

The first annual NIDA Notes "Innovations" issue, released today, features examples of benchmark NIDA research advances that have profound implications for addiction science. Highlights include deep brain exploration made possible by new optical technologies; remote control of animal behavior in real time; and novel approaches to pain treatment.

European Project To Study Relationship Between ADHD And Substance Abuse

To determine the relationship between Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Substance Use Disorders (SUD) and the development SUD in patients with and without ADHD. These are the main goals of the European collaborative initiative that was launched today. In the coming years 14 addiction treatment centers in 10 EU countries will include over 6.000 patients with SUD.

Mom's Beliefs May Impact Their Kids' Alcohol Use

Mothers, take note. If you really want to curb your teens' chances of using alcohol, help them develop a self-view that doesn't include drinking. According to a new Iowa State University study, the power of positive thinking by moms may limit their children's alcohol use. But beware. The opposite is also true.

CDC Recommends Asian, African Immigrants Be Tested For Hepatitis B

According to new guidelines CDC officials made public on Thursday, people born in either Asia or Africa who currently live in the U.S. should be tested for hepatitis B, the San Francisco Chronicle reports.

NIDA Announces DrugPubs - A New Research Dissemination Center

Anyone interested in receiving the latest scientific information about drug abuse and addiction has a new number to call: 1-877-NIDA-NIH. NIDA, part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), launches DrugPubs, its new research dissemination center, designed to distribute materials and information on drug abuse and addiction to virtually all audiences: drug abuse researchers, health professionals, teachers, advocacy groups, and teenagers and other members of the general public.

Researchers Profile Teens Who Seek Help To Quit Smoking

Teen smokers who volunteer for programs to help them quit are more hooked on tobacco than other teens who smoke, new West Virginia University research has found. The teens believe quitting is a good idea, but they aren't fully confident they'll be able to kick the tobacco habit.

News From The American Chemical Society, Sept. 17, 2008

Calorie-free natural sweetener moves one step closer to use in the U. S. Researchers in Georgia are reporting an advance toward the possible use of a new natural non-caloric sweetener in soft drinks and other food products in the United States. Stevia, which is 300 times more potent than sugar but calorie-free, is already used in some countries as a food and beverage additive to help fight obesity and diabetes.

University Of Miami Receives Grant From National Center On Minority And Health Disparities

El Centro, at the University of Miami School of Nursing and Health Studies, has received a $225,000 grant by its sponsor, the National Center on Minority Health and Health Disparities of the National Institutes of Health. These funds will support a regional seminar series on health disparities related to HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, and family and intimate partner violence.

More Than 80% Back 'alcopops' And Tobacco Tax: Newspoll Survey, Australia

Australians would overwhelmingly support increased 'alcopops' and tobacco tax if funds raised were used for preventive health programs, according to Newspoll research published today (24/9). A survey of more than 1200 Australian adults showed 84 per cent supported the Government's proposed 'alcopops' tax and 88 per cent backed increased tobacco tax, if most of the revenue funded programs to help prevent diseases such as heart disease and cancer.

Link Between The Neuropeptide Y System And A More Severe Form Of Alcohol Dependence

Previous animal research showed an association between the neuropeptide Y (NPY) pathway and its three receptor genes and response to alcohol and cocaine. A new study has examined the relationship of the human NPY system with alcohol dependence (AD), with and without withdrawal symptoms, and cocaine dependence.

Increased Risk Of Hazardous Drinking And Alcohol-Use Disorders In 'Casual' Smokers

Non-daily or "casual" smokers tend to slip through the cracks of prevention efforts. Yet casual smoking and heavy drinking are prevalent behaviors among young adults and, furthermore, casual smoking occurs primarily in the context of alcohol use. A new study of casual smoking and drinking behavior has found that non-daily smoking confers an increased risk of hazardous drinking and alcohol-use disorders (AUDs).

Peptide Ghrelin May Be Involved In Both Alcohol Dependence And Overeating

Ghrelin is a peptide, mainly produced in the stomach, but also found in small amounts in the brain. It is known to affect food intake by increasing feelings of hunger and the urge to eat. A new study has examined ghrelin's role in addictive behaviors. Findings indicate that variations in the genes producing ghrelin and its receptor are more common in individuals considered heavy drinkers.

Estimated 3 Million Injecting Drug Users Worldwide Could Be HIV Positive

New research suggests there could be 3 million injecting drug users (IDUs) worldwide who are HIV positive; and that the number of countries reporting injecting drug use has increased over the last decade. The proportions of IDUs who are HIV positive is over 40% in nine countries* with data.

Chronic Hepatitis C Infection In A Patient With Bone Marrow Hypoplasia

HCV is acquired by intravenous drug abuse, sexually or via blood transfusion (rare nowadays due to the effective screening of blood products before transfusion). HCV is known to cause chronic infection in 80% - 90% of the patients becoming infected. Patients present with varying degrees of altered liver function ranging from mild cirrhosis to necrosis (liver cell death).

Caffeinated Energy Drinks Should Have Better Labels

An article published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence recommends that caffeinated energy drinks on the market have clear and prominent labels indicating the amount of caffeine contained in the drink. The researchers from Johns Hopkins University, after decades of research on how caffeine affects the body, say that consumers need to be more aware of potential health risks. According to co-author RolandPGriffiths, Ph.D.

Researchers Study Relationship Between Injecting Drug Use And HIV

Estonia, Ukraine, Burma, Indonesia, Thailand, Nepal, Argentina, Brazil, and Kenya all have one disturbing fact in common: an HIV positive rate of over 40% for injecting drug users (IDUs). An article published early online and in an upcoming edition of The Lancet estimates that worldwide there are some 15.9 million IDUs - 3 million of whom are HIV positive. In the last ten years, the number of countries that report injecting drugs use has increased.

HIV Positive Injection Drug Users On Worldwide Scale

There could be three million HIV positive injection drug users (IDUs)rPin the world, according to an article released on September 24, 2008 in The Lancet.

Study Finds 3 Million IDUs Worldwide Are HIV-Positive

Of the 15.9 million injection drug users throughout the world, three million likely are HIV-positive, according to a study published on Wednesday in the Lancet, AFP/Google.com reports (AFP/Google.com, 9/23).

Culture Shapes Young People's Drinking Habits

Whether young people get drunk as a purposeful behavior or as an unintended consequence depends on what country they live in, according to new research on young people in seven countries. The research finds that young people's views on alcohol and drunkenness were influenced more by culture than by factors such as age and sex.

Should Ecstasy Be Downgraded? UK

Before the turn of the century ecstasy was a big headline puller and journalists wrote about it a great deal. Recently, however, cocaine and heroin have taken front stage. Just because ecstasy is not hitting the headlines as much as it used to may not necessarily mean it is not a dangerous drug and should consequently be downgraded. The declining popularity of the rave scene has lead to a drop in ecstasy interest. Hence, ecstasy's classification is being reviewed.

'Light' Cigarettes Versus Regular Cigarettes

For decades now, cigarette makers have marketed so-called light cigarettes - which contain less nicotine than regular smokes - with the implication that they are less harmful to smokers' health. A new UCLA study shows, however, that they deliver nearly as much nicotine to the brain. Reporting in the current online edition of the International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology, UCLA psychiatry professor Dr. Arthur L.

World-Renowned Hispanic Scientists Gather To Address Disparities In Hispanic Drug Use, Treatment And Prevention

The National Hispanic Science Network (NHSN) on Drug Abuse will hold its eighth annual conference, "Community, Behavioral and Molecular Sciences in Addictive Disorders," October 1-3, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Bethesda, Maryland.

New Investigational "Liquid Cigarette" Smoke Cessation Product Achieves 71 Percent Quit Rate

Several months ago, 52 smokers embarked on an FDA-approved, 12-week clinical study of a new smoke-cessation device called Smoke-Break. The results of the study were released today with 71 percent of the study participants smoke-free after 12 weeks. Smoke-Break is a "liquid nicotine cigarette" that resembles an unlit cigarette in size and shape. The clear tube contains a cherry-flavored gel along with 1.5 milligrams of nicotine, about as much as in a light cigarette.